Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla today said India's North East is gateway to East and South East Asia and is a link between Neighbourhood First and Act East policies. He said a strong, stable and prosperous North East is key to building a Self-Reliant India.<br />''<br />''Speaking on the "Impact of Neighbourhood First and Act East Policies on the North East '' at a webinar, the Foreign Secretary said government has a vision for this region that is captured in the 3 Cs – Connectivity, Commerce, and Cultural Commonalities. He said in partnership with the country's neighbours and friends to the East, government is working to improve the infrastructure and connectivity in the North Eastern states while also facilitating greater regional integration.<br />'' <br />''He spoke about the setting up of the India-Japan Act East Forum to take up projects for economic modernization of the North East and regional connectivity. Mr Shringla also highlighted that connectivity between India and Bangladesh directly and positively impacts both the North East and Bangladesh.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Four of the six pre-1965 rail links between the two countries have been made operational, and work is underway on the remaining two. The Secretary said there has been considerable augmentation of the inland water transport that links the North East to Bangladesh.</span><br />